Drill question

[sumner52000]

My in-laws gave me this last night.  I'm more into mechanic tools and don't know much about it. All i can find is MADE IN USA.  Who made it and is worth anything?

The drill bit i can make out some of a marking it says ___dson Forge Co.

Thanks for any help.

[john k]

It is known as a brace drill.   Actually a later, ratcheting model.  Some have chucks that will take a round bit as well as a tapered square one.   Invaluable for woodworking, but have been known to be used to drill iron too.   Just takes a little longer even with a sharp bit.  Look for a tiny stamping on the chuck for a name, or opposite where you found the USA.  Bits were made by more companies than made the drill,  Hudson Forge?   Lube it, hang it in sight, it will get used. 

[scottg]

They make screwdriver bits for these.
  Get some.
When your wimpy battery drill is way out of its league, and even your 110V, 1/2" chuck drill can't cut the mustard??
   A brace will walk the largest screw right down like nothing else!!

If you find yourself playing in the bigleague sometime?
Here is your weapon of choice.
      yours Scott

[rusty]

And when your battery drill goes dead hand power works just dandy, a fact not lost on the military who might find itself out in the middle of nowhere without  an outlet anywhere in sight.

Long long after people were walking around claiming this sort of thing was obsolete, and very few companies were left making them, Hudson Forge was still making them for the government to fulfill contracts.

The bits were (I have heard) based on Irwin's, they braces they made (at least 2 typos) I don't know, but, yours doesn't match either one that I have a photo of.

But..look closely, they tended to use crappy stamping......

(The design is mostly modern with that chuck shape, and the sharp 90 under the handle...)

[bonneyman]

Hmmm. Guess I'm gonna have to get one of those.

[scottg]

Hmmm. Guess I'm gonna have to get one of those.

You're kidding George?? You don't have one?
  They are so plentiful and cheap, I know guys who get one for every bit they use often.
I am personally holding myself down to 5 or 6 now. I let the rest go. 
yours Scott